Mary Nelson's Syracuse youth center gets a boost from community

File photo Gary Walts / The Post-Standard
Mary Nelson in the kitchen of the community center back when it first opened in the spring.Syracuse, NY - Mary Nelson says she’s been showered with offers of help since news broke last month that her South Salina Street youth and community center was hurting financially.

The center will remain with the support of sponsors, donations and a supportive landlord, Nelson said Sunday. She also said she is exploring partnerships with established community agencies to make it easier for the center to win grants.

She said she’s been unable to get grants because funding sources want to see a track record of six months to a year. The center opened in June at 2849 S. Salina St. and Nelson says it runs entirely on volunteer labor, including her own.

If an agency takes the center under its umbrella, Nelson said, it can help the center obtain grants and establish a track record. Her goal is for the center to obtain its own grants instead of relying on sponsors and donations.

A spokeswoman for Catholic Charities, the center’s landlord, has said it will be “very patient” with Nelson and is supportive of her efforts.

Nelson’s record of community involvement includes founding in 2002 an annual barbecue and school-supply give-away for youth. This year her youth day organization says it gave backpacks to more than 9,000 students.